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Thermal emission spectra of Mars (5.4-10.5 microns) - Evidence for sulfates, carbonates, and hydratesSpectra of the Martian thermal emission in the 5.4-10.5 micron region are reported. Emission features at 7.8 and 9.7 microns are attributed to surface silicates, and an emission feature at 6.1 micron is attributed to a molecular water component of the surface material. An absorption band at 8.7 micron and a possible one at 9.8 microns is attributed to sulfate or bisulfate anions probably located at a distorted crystalline site, and an absorption band at 6.7 microns is attributed to carbonate or bicarbonate anions located in a distorted crystalline site. Spectral simulations indicate that the sulfate- and carbonate-bearing minerals are contained in the same particles of airborne dust as the dominant silicate minerals, that the dust optical depth is about 0.6 at a reference wavelength of 0.3 micron over the area of the observed spots, and that sulfates and carbonates constitute 10-15 percent and 1-3 percent by volume of the airborne dust, respectively.
Document ID
19900061733
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Pollack, James B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Roush, Ted
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Witteborn, Fred
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Bregman, Jesse
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wooden, Diane
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stoker, Carol
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Toon, Owen B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
August 30, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 95
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
90A48788
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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